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Flying over the Shuswap

In 1978, Salmon Arm Airport manager John McDermott saw an ultralight aircraft on floats and thought, “Boy, I sure would like to try that.”
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Never underestimate the power of a mall display.

In 1978, Salmon Arm Airport manager John McDermott saw an ultralight aircraft on floats in a Calgary shopping mall and thought, “Boy, I sure would like to try that.”

Little did he know the trying would come sooner rather than later.

McDermott and his wife bought a summer home on Mara Lake and soon after a Swansea Point neighbour mentioned he was heading to Vernon for flying lessons on an ultralight – on floats.

McDermott went along, went for a ride and that was that.

“I was hooked,” he says.

In 1979, after taking lessons on Okanagan Lake, McDermott earned his pilot’s licence, graduating to wheels three years later.

McDermott constructed his own two-seater “homebuilt” and figures he has invested  about $57,000 in the aircraft.

“It’s my hobby; when I’m flying up around Salmon Arm and Sicamous I never seem to see the same thing twice. It’s so pretty when your up there flying,” he says. “It’s hours and hours of pure enjoyment, punctuated by moments of shear panic.”

McDermott describes himself as a  fair-weather pilot, who enjoys flying in the better, calmer air of the morning.

But, he adds, if he does run into “weather,” his homebuilt is more like a fixed-wing aircraft in terms of stability – and his training also kicks in.

“I watch the weather.There’s lots of information on the Internet, and I can phone Kamloops Flight Service,” he says.

McDermott will have more time for his hobby because, after 12 years of managing and promoting the Salmon Arm Airport, McDermott is retiring.

Looking back, he says there has been limited development since he took over operation of the airport.

“We now have 12 bays for general aviation and two very large commercial bays that are used by East West Helicopters and Flight Fuels out of Edmonton,” he says. “We’ve hit a few snags on development, that’s what we’re going to be working on.”

McDermott says there are issues in some spots around the fact the land was once part of the landfill. The runway and infield are not affected.

The most exciting times are during fire season when the airport is at its peak for traffic and fuel sales.

“That makes it exciting for everybody, because we’re seeing the potential of the airport in full bloom,” he says, noting the biggest headaches are presented by the need to keep the runways clear of snow.

That can take anywhere from four hours to two days and is critical due to the regular comings and goings of BC Ambulance aircraft, picking up patients in urgent need of a higher level of care.

Last year there were 4,600 trips in and out of the airport, down from 5,800 in 2010 and a high of 7,000 during the 2008 Tappen fire.

Rapattack members get fuel from the airport and hone their skills in an airport field.

Tourism, particularly in summer, also helps boost the numbers.

“Would like to see expansion of the taxi-ways and we need more space for larger aircraft and helicopters during fire season so they’re not parking in the dirt,” he says. “We had a study done a few years ago and we have a 25-year plan.”

It’s a plan that someone else will be taking forward when McDermott steps down later this month.

But while he may be bringing his career as manager in for a landing, he won’t be taking off from the airport anytime soon.

The Salmon Arm Flying Club, with whom he shares a mutual admiration, is making him a lifetime member.

“Without the club we wouldn’t be where we are,” he says. “The club enhances the airport, keeps it busy and keeps people talking about the airport.”

Passing the compliments right back, club president Tim Auger says McDermott always bent over backwards to help people.

“I’ve heard nothing but good comments from pilots and others that use the airport, including  how well it’s maintained,” he says, pointing out the number of things McDermott has done on behalf of the Flying Club. “Any time we do fly-ins, he’s in the kitchen, and the Airport Appreciation Day couldn’t happen without John’s help and support.”

Another longtime club member and commercial pilot, Jim Hall, flew a wide variety of aircraft over a 50-year span, some more finicky than others.

But he met his match in the ultralight department where he was one of John McDermott’s students.

“I was probably his only unsuccessful student,” he says of the teacher he admires. “I’d had thousands of hour of flying, but setting an ultralight down is very different. I’d have to ask him to land and after the third time, I gave up.”